Can // May

Asking for permission We use can to ask for permission to do something: Can I ask a question, please? Can we go home now? may is another more formal and polite way of asking for permission: May I ask a question please? May we go home now? Giving permission We use can to give permission: You can go home now if you like. You can borrow my pen if you like. may is a more formal and polite way of giving permission: You may go home now, if you like. Making a request We use can as a polite way of telling or asking someone to do something: Can you take a message please? Can you carry this for me please?

Offering Help We use can I to make offers: Can I help you? Can I do that for you?

We sometime say I can ... to make an offer: I can do that for you if you like. I can give you a lift to the station.

Teacher Simone